Q11. Which of the following is a fungal disease affecting humans?
a) Anthracnose
b) Ringworm
c) Dutch Elm Disease
d) Rust
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Correct Answer: b) Ringworm
Explanation: Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin or scalp caused by various species of fungi known as dermatophytes.
Q12. Ergot poisoning is caused by consuming grains contaminated with the fungus:
a) Aspergillus flavus
b) Claviceps purpurea
c) Rhizopus stolonifer
d) Candida albicans
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Correct Answer: b) Claviceps purpurea
Explanation: Ergot poisoning occurs when humans ingest alkaloids produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, commonly found on grains like rye.
Q13. Which of the following fungi is used in the production of antibiotics?
a) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
b) Aspergillus niger
c) Rhizopus oryzae
d) Penicillium notatum
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Correct Answer: d) Penicillium notatum
Explanation: Penicillium notatum produces penicillin, the first antibiotic discovered and widely used in medicine.
Q14. The edible fungus known as the “black truffle” belongs to which phylum?
a) Ascomycota
b) Basidiomycota
c) Glomeromycota
d) Zygomycota
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Correct Answer: b) Basidiomycota
Explanation: Black truffles are prized culinary fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota.
Q15. Fungi can reproduce sexually and asexually. Which of the following is a method of asexual reproduction in fungi?
a) Fragmentation
b) Plasmogamy
c) Meiosis
d) Gametogenesis
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Correct Answer: a) Fragmentation
Explanation: Fragmentation involves breaking off a part of the fungal body, which then grows into a new individual.
Q16. The drug cyclosporine, used to suppress immune responses in organ transplants, is derived from which fungus?
a) Aspergillus flavus
b) Penicillium chrysogenum
c) Tolypocladium inflatum
d) Claviceps purpurea
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Correct Answer: c) Tolypocladium inflatum
Explanation: Cyclosporine is produced by the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum and is used as an immunosuppressant in organ transplant patients.
Q17. Which of the following is not a role of fungi in the ecosystem?
a) Decomposition
b) Parasitism
c) Mutualism
d) Nitrogen fixation
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Correct Answer: d) Nitrogen fixation
Explanation: Unlike some bacteria, fungi do not perform nitrogen fixation. They play roles in decomposition, parasitism, and mutualism.
Q18. Which fungal structure is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the environment?
a) Rhizoids
b) Hyphae
c) Mycelium
d) Stolons
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Correct Answer: b) Hyphae
Explanation: Hyphae are thin filaments that make up the fungal body and are responsible for nutrient absorption.
Q19. The formation of a fruiting body, such as a mushroom, is part of which fungal life cycle stage?
a) Sporulation
b) Gametogenesis
c) Plasmogamy
d) Karyogamy
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Correct Answer: a) Sporulation
Explanation: Fruiting bodies are structures where spores are produced and released during the sporulation stage of the fungal life cycle.
Q20. Which fungal phylum includes the largest known fruiting bodies?
a) Ascomycota
b) Basidiomycota
c) Zygomycota
d) Chytridiomycota
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Correct Answer: b) Basidiomycota
Explanation: Basidiomycota, characterized by mushrooms, produce some of the largest fruiting bodies known in the fungal kingdom.